Game-score indicating device



ch 10,1942. NEW I 2,275,797

GAME-SCORE INDICATING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. FRED M; New.

Miami m, 19 542. F, M, FQEW 2,2?5,79?

GAME-SCORE INDICATING DEVICE Filed July 28, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 COIN 52 I05 INVENTOR.

j); FRED M NEW. I BY POM/12 LINE Patented Mar. 10, 1942 GAME-SCORE INDICATING DEVICE Fred M. New, New York, N. Y., assignor to Fred craft Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application July 28, 1939, Serial No. 287,047

2 Claims. (01. 177-384) This invention relates to signaling or indicating devices, particularly adapted for use in connection with ballistic or similar game apparatus, such as exemplified in United States Letters Patent No. 2,139,210.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an electrically coin operated game having novel controlling means for indicating scores re.

sulting from the skillful operation by the persb using the game.

It is another object of the present invention to provide means for successively indicating in stagesthe number of hit scores.

Still another object of the present invention is to produce from a single means or instrumentality impulses to indicate different numbers of hit scores. Yet another object of the present invention s to provide means to automatically reset the signal controlling means.

A still further object of the invention is to provide in the device of the above character means to release the coin slot mechanism upon attaining a predetermined score whereby the person operating the game is enabled to start again the operation of the game without requiring the insertion of another coin.

This invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of parts and in the unique relations of the members and in the relative proportioning and disposition there-' of: all as more completely outlined herein.

To enable others skilled in the art so fully to comprehend the underlying features thereof that they may embody the same by the numerous modifications in structure and relation contemplated by this invention, drawings depicting a certain form of the invention have been annexed as a part of this disclosure, and in such drawings, like characters of reference denote corresponding parts throughout all the views, of which? Fig. 1 is a perspective view-of the device made in accordance with the invention and mounted on and combined with a ballistic game apparatus of which the upper part is shown.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of mechanism embodied in the invention,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view taken through line 33 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4. is an electrical wiring diagram showing the electrical connections for the indicating dei 'ice incorporating the invention.

For the purpose of more clearly deriving at the invention. the same numerals will be employed in Fig. 4 to indicate similar elements which form no part of the present invention as those given in United States Letters Patent 2.139.210. In the present instance however these elements are shown in Fig. 4 merely diagrammatically.

power line and furnishes electrical power to its secondary winding l3. One leg Ila of said secondary winding I3 is connected to trigger 25 while the other leg Nb of said winding is connected tointerrupter 22 for periodically closing the circuit for secondary winding l3 and one terminal of its coil 29, the other terminal of coil 29 being connected to the trigger 25. Interrupter 22 is operated by a motor (not shown).

Operable within coil 29 is armature 3D carrying contact point 36. One end of said armature 3B is connected to a terminal of a secondary winding 50, and the other terminal of said winding 50 is connected through conductor 52 to a controller generallyindicated by 53 and to a hit indicator generally indicated by 58. Thereturn conductor lead connects with the return wires 56, 51 of hit" indicator 54 and controller 53, respectively, the return lead 55 being connected with contacts l6a, I61; and IE0 of motor (not shownldriven target or game disc 6, the said contacts being insulated from each other ,by a suitable layer 5 except when the device is correctly aimed, as described in the said United.

States Letters Patent hereinabove mentioned.

Secondary winding 50 of transformer TRz re ceives its electrical power by primary winding 5i whoseI terminals are connected to power lines Ill and l When the hit circuit is caused to be closed as hereinafter described by engagement of contact point 35 with one of the said contacts l6a. llib ,or I60, simultaneously relay coil 58 of controller 53 is energized, actuatingdog-plunger 59 to rotate ratchet wheel 66. Mounted on the shaft 61 of said ratchet wheel is a pinion 62 which meshes with a gear 63 fixed to shaft 65. Secured to shaft 6d are contact fingers B5, 65 and 61 disposed in angular relation with each other as clearly indicated in Fig. 4 and for a purpose of actuating the controller 53 and hereinafter more fully described.

Controller 53 substantially comprises a plurality of rows I, II and III of contact points preferably-circumferentially arranged onan insulating disc 68 mounted on a unit 70 (Fig. 2) later described. Fingers 65, 66 and 6! cooperate with respective rows I, II and III, to complete or open circuits.

In Fig. 4 dot-dash lines 65a, 66a and 51a show a particular initial location of said fingers 65, 66

and B1, finger 65 having been inoved by gearing connections fingerrow III and closes circuit through contact con- 2 are also fixed inangular relation with each other. The purpose of the controller 58 is to establish between the "hit contacts and the signal means which will be later described. To this end, it is desirable to indicate the hit shots in multiples, that is to say, when the hit contacts are made between contact point 86 and either of the three contacts I6a, I6b and I60, and since the ratio of the diameters of pinion 62 and gear 68 is, for instance, 1' to 5, finger 65 will move' from zero-point 69 to position 65a (contact point 1I) only after five "hit shots" have been made. In this position 65 a circuit is closed which comprises secondary winding 82, lead 14, finger 65 (at position 65a) leads 15, 16, lamp A200, leads 11, 18, 19, back to secondary winding 82 through" lead 80. Primary winding 88 of transformer TB: is connected in the usual manner to the power lines I and II. I

If now five more hits are made in the aforeare made, the coil II 8 is energized, which coil attracts areleasing armature I I8 which through a known mechanical connection (not shown) infiuences and releases the coin slide mechanism 225 (Fig. 1) of the apparatus to permit operation of the slide without requiring the insertion of a coin therein. This "free game chance is indicated by signal lamp 54. At the same time finger 66 which is, as heretofore mentioned, fixed mentioned manner, finger 65 will then be shifted to the next contactpoint 1 Ia whereas the afore said electrical connections through contact H are interrupted. Finger '65 then closes through contact 1Ia the circuit including lamp B400 through leads 15a, 16a, B400, 11a, 18, 16, 80, secondary winding 62, lead 14; finger 65, which connections are clearly shown in Fig. 4.

The finger 65 is shifted as described above,

from contact point to contact point as the so number of hits" progresses, through 1ib, 1lc to 1Id making and opening circuits successively at said contact points. At this latter contact point 1Id, finger 66 will then be in contact with the first contact point 12 of row II. If finger 65 engages contact point 1Id, finger 66 will engage contact point 1211 then the following circuits are established namely:

This circuit made by contact of finger 66 with contact point 12 (of the 1000 score row II) comprises leads 84, 85, 86, 81, lamp L1 (indicating 1000 scores) return leads 88, 86, 18, 80, 82, 14 and finger 66. Simultaneously the following circuit is also closed by finger 65 when engaging contact point 1Id: comprising leads 60, 85, leads 96, 81, secondary winding 98 of transformer TR4, leads 88, 18 and finger 65. This latter circuit energizes relay coil which causes operation of contact I00. This contact I00 is connected through leads MI and I02 to transformer TR4 which energizes through said contact I00 a conventional flickering control device or fiasher I03 for causing the lamps a to h inclusive to be lighted in sequence indicating stages in the falling course of an hit" at the stage of each consecutive 1000 scores.

Airplane a: is shown diagrammatically in Fig. 1. In the same Fig. 1 the score stages 200, 400, 600,

'800 which correspond to signals A200, B400,

0600, D800 of Fig. 4, represent the path taken by a bullet, aimed at airplane through electrical-contacts made at 86 with either contact when pulling trigger 25.

1 When each 1000 score stage: is reached airplane ing" as heretofore described.

when fingers 65, 66, 61 are moved in the direction of arrow to positions shown in Fig. 4, 61 engages the firstcontact point 18 of nection III of row III, leads III, II2, coil H8,

to the same shaft 64 as fingers 65, 61, will also close a circuit which will signal the lamp L6 (indicating said score of 6000) and which comprises secondary winding 82, lead 14, finger 66, leads I20, I2I, I22, I28, lamp L6, leads I2l,89,18 and 00 back to secondary winding 82 of transformer 'IR3.

transformers TRl, TR2, 'IR3 and TR4 are connected across the power lines I0, I I.

From the above description it is obvious thatv I6a, I6b or I6c, as the'case may be, this being accomplished in accordance with the operation of interrupter 22 during its closed position.

Upon the closing of either one of said latter contacts then the electrically operated dog 59 will rotate ratchet wheel 60 about one tooth which translates through 6i, 62, 63 rotation to shaft 64 carrying thereon contact fingers 65, 66. 61. In-this particular instance, after 5 hits have been made, and the gear 63 thus movedto the extent of five teeth, finger 65 is moved from its zero-position 69 to the first contact 1i thus closing a circuit, as stated hereinabove, for sig- BI, 82, 83, 94, coil airplane ':c after being a: is hit and the airplanev is indicated as "falllead II, lamp 54', leads H5, .16, 80, secondary winding 82, lead 14 back to finger 61.

In can be readily seen from the circuit diagram of Fig. 4 that when scores of 6000 or over naling lamp A200 (200 scores). After five further hits" are made, a similar movement of finger 65 is accomplished, closing the next circuit (as described before) for signaling lamp B400 (400 scores) etc., until the' circuit of lamp D800 (800 scores) is closed. If thereafter further five hits" are made two circuits are closed, one signaling lamp L1 (1000 scores) and another operating flickering device I08 (as hereinbefore explained).

In the event that further five "hits are made then the finger 65 will move to a contact position which will close again a circuit of row .1 includin lamp A200, while finger 66 still maintains contact with row II (1000 section thereof) thereby providing signaling of lamps L1 and A200 (1200 scores) inrespective circuits. This may be then continued during operation of trigger 25 until the 6000 scores are reached for a free game."

It can be seen from the electrical connections that the flickering device I03 willonly become operative when finger 65 'is moved topositions representing 1000, 2000, 3000, etc. scores.

It is understood thattime switch T may .be employed to limit the periodof time withinwhich' A release lever (not, shown) actuatable by the coin-slide of the machine. which is conventional in-its construction.

the scores are to be made.

may be operated by said coin-slide for resetting the time switch, it the said free game" score is attained. In this instance. operator may push inwardly the coin-slide without insertion of a.

coin to operate the release lever ina well known manner. A

It is to be noted that the primary windings of Y Fig. 2 shows a unit larly adapted for or mechanism I particuoperating the controller 53. This unit has a frame comprising the end discs 200 and L Spaced from disc 20! and intermediate the latter and disc 200 is positioned another disc 202. These discs are held in spaced relation by means of standards 203, 204, 205. Projecting through disc 20] and rotatably mounted on discs 20| and 202 is shaft 64 for receiving thereon fingers 65, 66, 6'! (not shown). Mounted on standards 203, 204, 205 and above disc 20l is controller disc 68 (Fig. 4) in such manner that fingers 65, 66, 61 may move by means of shaft 64 on controller disc 68 (as particularly shown in Fig. 4).

Gear 63 is mounted on 20| and 202 and meshes with pinion 62 rotatably mounted on disc 202. Pinion 62 projects through 202 and has fixed thereto ratchet wheel 60. Dog 59 forming an extension of armature 59' is adapted for intermittent engagement with ratchet wheel 60. A locking lever 206 is swingably mounted on disc 202 at 201 and is held against the teeth of ratchet wheel 50 by spring 208 for preventing counter-rotation of the latter. This counter-rotation is brought about by a coil spring 209 having one end fixed to the frame at 2l0 and its other end secured to an abutment 2 carried by gear 63. is rotated said spring 209 winds up until abut ment 2 which projects beyond the other face shaft 64 between discs As gear 03 of the gear 63 abuts against a projection 2|2 on disc 202 indicating the terminal positions of fingers 65, 66, 61 on controller disc 68 when the 10,000 scores are reached (Fig. 3).

Armature 59' will be attracted, as hereinbefore stated, by coil 58 which is connected by lead'51' to secondary winding of transformer 'I'R2, whereas lead 51 connects with contacts carrying discst.

Within the aforesaid frame, there is further housed a coil 2 I 3 which is energized through wires 2|5, 2|8, which are connected with conventional switch means (not shown). These switch means are operated by the coin slot of the apparatus in such manner that upon (or also in case of "free game) the coin slot is pushed to such an extent that it closes through said switch means a circuit which energizes coil 213 which latter attracts armature 2. Fixed to'said armature is alever 2|! whose offset free and M8 upon movement of said armature toward said coil 2|8 acts upon locking lever 206 and against the action of its spring 208, thus releasing ratchet wheel 80 for rotation under action of spring 209 to bring the ratchet wheel to its initial position. Since shaft 64 is fixedly connected with ratchet wheel 50, said shaft is rotated and fingers B5, 06, B1 are reset to their respective starting positions apparatus ready for a new game. If finger 65 is brought to its zero-position 09 the operating circuit is opened and the lamps, etc., are disconnected from their respective circuits.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thus provided a device of the character described possessing the particular features of advantages before enumerated as desirable, but which obviously is susceptible of modification in its form. proportions, detail construction and arrangement of parts without departmaking the indicating insertion of a coin ing from the principle involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While there has been shown and described and pointed out the fundamental novel features of the invention as applied to a prefered embodiment, it will be understood that various omissions and substitutions and changes in the form and details of the device illustrated and its operation may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is:

'1. In combination a sighting device for associated with the game device-and means for periodically closing a circuit when the sighting device is aimed atthe target; a step-by-step circuit controlling device, means in said circuit for stepping said device step by step, a score indicating device comprising a first series of lamps by their successive illumiwith a game device having series of lamps, setting into operation the circuit controlling means for the second series or of operations, thereafter re,- peating these operations and with each repetition successively illuminating the lamps of the third series.

2. In combination vice and to indicate by their successive illumination hits at said moving target, a second series by their succesof said first series.

FRED M. NEW.

following a moving target. 

